Editing Busytown

{{Short description|Fictional town created by author Richard Scarry}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| color = <!--Background color for headers; the text color is automatically computed.-->
| title = Busytown
| image = 
| image_upright = 
| caption = 
| creator = [[Richard Scarry]]
| origin = ''[[Best Word Book Ever]]'' (1963)
| owner = 
| years = 1963–present
| books = ''Best Ever'' series
| tv_series = 
| web_series = 
| animated_series = {{ubl|''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]'' (1994–1997)|''[[Busytown Mysteries]]'' (2007–2010)}}
| tv_specials = 
| tv_shorts = 
| tv_films = 
| direct-to-video = ''Richard Scarry's Best Videos Ever!'' (1989–1994)
| video_games = ''[[Richard Scarry's Busytown]]'' (1993/1999){{ref|*|*}}
| website = 
| footnotes = {{note label|*|*}}The latter year refers to when the game was [[Video game remake|remade]].
}}
'''''Busytown''''' is a [[Fictional city|fictional town]] depicted in several books by American children's author [[Richard Scarry]]. Busytown is inhabited by an assortment of [[anthropomorphic]] [[animal]]s, including Huckle Cat, [[Lowly Worm]], Mr. Frumble, police Sergeant Murphy, Mr. Fixit, Bananas Gorilla and Hilda Hippo.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Low |first1=Stuart |title=Busytown: At Strong Museum, kids play and learn in Richard Scarry's world |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/136392305/?terms=busytown |access-date=13 January 2024 |work=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle |date=January 28, 1999}}</ref>

''Busytown'' also refers to the [[media franchise]] that spawned from Scarry's books. From 1989 to 1994, [[Random House]] Home Video and Jumbo Pictures produced the first basic educational learning animated series called ''Richard Scarry's Best Videos Ever!'' on home video. In the early 1990s, [[Cinar]] produced the animated series ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]'', featuring the inhabitants of Busytown. The series originally aired on [[Showtime (TV channel)|Showtime]] in the United States.<ref name="ERIC">{{Cite book |last=ERIC |url=http://archive.org/details/ERIC_ED380367 |title=ERIC ED380367: Biography Today: Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers, 1994. |date=September 1994 |pages=89–92 |language=english}}</ref> A board game and a [[Richard Scarry's Busytown|computer game based on Busytown]] were also produced in the 1990s. Another animated series centered on Busytown, ''[[Busytown Mysteries]]'', ran in the late 2000s.

==Characters==
Scarry's Busytown books consist of detailed drawings of busy animals engaged in scenes from daily life.  He thought "children find it easier to relate to animals at that age. If you have a picture of a little girl with long blonde hair, then a dark-haired girl isn't going to relate to it as well as she might to a picture of a bunny rabbit."<ref name="ERIC" />

===Major characters===

The most frequently seen characters include:

:'''The [[Cat]] Family'''

::'''Father Cat''': Runs a [[grocery store]] and is sometimes referred to as '''Grocer Cat'''. His first name is John.  He frequently does business with Farmer Alfalfa.  In the cartoon series ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]'', he works as a [[travel agent]]. In ''[[Busytown Mysteries]]'' he works in a food store.
::'''Mother Cat''': A housewife and mother who works as a travel agent. She cares for Huckle, Sally, Lowly, and her husband. Mother Cat's first name is Fiona. In the cartoon series ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]'', she works for the town's newspaper. She is absent in ''[[Busytown Mysteries]]''.
::'''Huckle Cat''': The Cats' school-age son and the protagonist of the series. He is a lovable young kitten boy who is seven years old. Huckle is often shown in the cockpits of planes and flying with Rudolf von Flugel. It is implied that his ambition is to be a pilot when he grows up. Huckle Cat has [[red]] spots in ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]''; in ''[[Busytown Mysteries]]'' and ''Richard Scarry Presents The Best Series Ever!'' he is eight years old and has [[orange (colour)|orange]] spots.  Huckle first appeared as a bear in lederhosen, but was later changed to a cat.  ''Huck'' was the nickname for Scarry's son, Richard Scarry Jr.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lodge {{!}} |first=Sally |title=An Anniversary and a Rebranding for Richard Scarry |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/57862-an-anniversary-and-a-rebranding-for-richard-scarry.html |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref>
::'''Sally Cat''': Huckle's younger sister. She is five years old. In her early appearances she was known as "Little Sister." Sally Cat has [[red]] spots in ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]''; in ''[[Busytown Mysteries]]'' and ''Richard Scarry Presents The Best Series Ever!'' she is six years old and has [[orange (colour)|orange]] spots.
::'''[[Lowly Worm]]''': Huckle's best friend. He often stays with the Cats as a house guest. Although he attends school with the Cat children, Lowly can also be seen in more adult situations, like driving a [[street sweeper]] or working in the operating room of the Busytown [[Hospital]]. Lowly Worm has appeared in ''Richard Scarry Presents The Best Series Ever!'' where he is mute until ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]'' and ''[[Busytown Mysteries]].''  Scarry said that Lowly was his favorite character.<ref name="ERIC" />
::'''Grandma Cat''': Lives in another town and it requires a journey by plane to visit her. She is a skilled driver. She is absent in ''[[Busytown Mysteries]].''
:'''Lily Bunny''': A feisty young [[rabbit]] kit girl who is one of Huckle Cat's friends and is the protagonist of the counting episode. She likes going on adventures with her friends and likes to do what she likes best. She seems to be seven years old.
:'''Freddie Fox''': A young fox kit boy who is one of Huckle's friends. He loves to play games and learn new things. He is six years old.
:'''Rhonda Raccoon''': A young raccoon kit girl who is one of Huckle's good friends. She loves to play with Lily Bunny, Hilda Hippo, Freddie Fox and Huckle Cat and go on amazing adventures with them. She is seven years old.
:'''Hilda Hippo''': A self-conscious [[hippopotamus]] calf girl who works as a playground monitor at the elementary school. She also has a fairly obvious crush on Lowly. It is also revealed that she's [[allergy|allergic]] to [[rose]]s. She is around eight years old.
:'''Mary Mouse''': A young mouse pup girl who is six years old and is feisty and imaginative.
:'''Marvin Mouse''': Mary's five-year-old brother who wants to be a mailman when he grows up.
:'''The Pig Family''': Father Pig is a [[house painter]] married to a housewife, Mother Pig. They have twin children, Harry and Sally.
:'''Able Baker Charlie''': A [[mouse]] who owns Busytown's [[bakery]]. He loves to bake all sorts of things, but he is most famous for baking bread. However, sometimes what he bakes does not always turn out right.
:'''Bananas [[Gorilla]]''': A [[gorilla]] good-guy who can be a thief and whose passion for the [[banana|fruit that bears his name]] leads him to steal bunches of them from Grocer Cat, which leads to his pursuit by Sergeant Murphy. Bananas also has many watches on each wrist. He is a very kind gorilla. He is 23 years old. He first appeared in The Great Pie Robbery. In ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]'' he is not a thief, and attends school with the other children, although he can drive a car.
:'''Mr. Fixit''': A [[fox]] repairman who boasts that he can fix anything but does not often show this ability. He once attempted to fix Mrs. Cat's [[vacuum cleaner]] but it ran on the ceiling instead of the floor. He also fixes a tire on Marvin Mouse's car but the tire deflates. He even fixes Hilda Hippo's toaster but the toaster turns off and two slices of toast went flying.
:'''Miss Honey''': A [[brown bear]] is the school teacher at Busytown. She is ''very'' kind and motherly, and the mother of Kenny Bear. Her pupils include the Cat children and Lowly Worm.
:'''Rudolf von Flugel''': A [[fox]] pilot who flies a red-coloured [[Germany|German]] [[World War I]] [[monoplane]] and dresses in the uniform of a German officer of the time. He often takes Huckle, Lowly and Little Sister up in his planes, though these flights frequently end in disaster. His name is the German word for wing (Flügel). In the [[United Kingdom]] editions of the books, his name is Rudolf Strudel.
:'''Sergeant Murphy''': A dog [[police officer]] and [[motorcyclist]] who is often present in street and road scenes. He is married and has a little girl named Bridget. He is dedicated to his job, and his passion for motorcycles is shown in the fact that he wears his crash [[helmet]] in bed. His name is a reflection on the stereotypical Irish-American policeman.
:'''Mr. Frumble''': A clueless [[pig]] who often loses and chases after his hat. He drives a pickle-shaped car and is prone to vehicular accidents. Sometimes he gets traffic tickets from Sergeant Murphy.
:'''Smokey, Sparky and Snozzle''': A trio of [[pig]] [[firefighter]]s. Sparky and Snozzle wear a [[saucepan]] and [[colander]] as headgear, and one of them uses a [[trombone]] for a siren.

===Minor characters===

:'''Mr. Read-a-Lot''': An [[owl]] who works at the Busytown Library and can often be seen at the front desk.
:'''Beverly [[Baboon]]''': A [[baboon]] who works as Mr. Read-a-Lot's assistant librarian.
:'''Billy Dog''': A [[hound|hound dog]] who appears to be a [[bullying|bully]] at first, but has a heart of gold. He is good friends with Huckle, Hilda, and Lowly. He later gets glasses and usually wears a red sweater. He is about six years old.
:'''Bully Bobcat''': A [[bobcat]] who works for the town's newspaper.
:'''Cassie''': A grey [[cat]] appearing in ''The Busy World of Richard Scarry''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Busy World of Richard Scarry - New Friend on the Block| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=YU7BhnUcKA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129203953/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU7BhnUcKA |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |date=5 April 2010}}</ref>                 
:'''Doctor Lion''': A [[lion]] [[Physician|doctor]] who runs both a private practice and works at the Busytown Hospital and is the primary health care provider for most of the citizens.
:'''Farmer Alfalfa''': A [[goat]] who owns a farm in the outskirts of Busytown and specializes in growing [[Maize|corn]].  Non-conscientious drivers can often be seen driving through his fields. (He may have been named after a [[Farmer Alfalfa|Terrytoons character]] of the same name.)
:'''Farmer Patrick Pig''': A farmer [[pig]] who resides on the outskirts of Busytown. He grows corn and wheat.
:'''Farmer Fox''': A farmer [[fox]] who resides on the outskirts of Busytown.  He also works at a farm stand.
:'''Fred''': A [[squid]] who runs a fish and chips business.
:'''Fireman Ralph''': A pig firefighter who is the chief and leader of the crew at the Busytown Fire Station.
:'''Goldbug''': A [[cricket (insect)|cricket]] who works as a roving news reporter for the ''Busytown Action Bug News'' and drives a small yellow van, appearing in ''Busytown Mysteries''.
:'''Mr. Gronkle''': An elderly and grouchy [[warthog]] who isn't fond of children. He is rarely compassionate and wants things to go his way. Despite his flaws, he sometimes shows a soft side.
:'''Mr. Humperdink''': A [[pig]] who works Busytown's bakery, appearing in ''Richard Scarry's Best Busy People Video Ever'' and ''The Busy World of Richard Scarry''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Busy World of Richard Scarry - The Talking Bread| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=2m76NQMJGtc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/2m76NQMJGtc| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|date=13 March 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
:'''Janitor Joe''': A [[fox]] who is a janitor in most places of Busytown, including the theatre and Huckle's school.
:'''Jason the Mason''': A [[pig]] [[Masonry|mason]] who specializes in building brick foundations and chimneys.  Although skilled at his trade, he is somewhat clumsy.
:'''John Parr Miller''': A [[terrier]] at the town party, apparently a chef, named after a Disney animator who then moved into illustration of children's books.
:'''Mayor Fox''':  A [[fox]] and the [[Mayor]] of Busytown. He always wears a [[monocle]], [[top hat]] and a ribbon of office.
:'''Ngorongoro Crater''': A [[hyena]] who is a photographer and whose camera gets a parking ticket.
:'''Nurse Nelly''': A [[cat]] [[nurse]] who often works as Dr. Lion's assistant both at his office and in the hospital.
:'''Pig-Will and Pig-Won't''': Two [[pig]] brothers around age 6 who drive a sausage shaped car and are friends of Huckle and Sally.  Pig-Will wears a green shirt and/or green overalls and Pig-Won't wears a red shirt/blue overalls. Pig-Will's catchphrase is, "I will! I will!" Pig-Won't's catchphrase is, "I won't."
:'''Postman Pig''': A [[pig]] letter carrier.  Although not the only carrier in Busytown, his route includes the Cat family's home.
:'''P.S. Pig''': A [[pig]] letter carrier, appearing in ''The Busy World of Richard Scarry''.
:'''Mr. Raccoon''': A [[raccoon]] who works at the cafeteria shop, appearing in ''The Busy World of Richard Scarry''.
:'''Raffles Rat''': A [[rat]] [[thief]] who uses convoluted schemes and elaborate disguises to commit crimes.  He may work alone or with a partner and is especially fond of stealing [[jewelry]].
:'''Mr. Root''': An [[armadillo]] who works at the community garden. He can be a bit demanding.
:'''Sawdust the Carpenter''': A [[cat]] [[carpenter]] who builds houses.  He sometimes works alone and sometimes with several apprentices.
:'''Vanderbuilt''': A young [[warthog]] and nephew to Mr. Gronkle. 
:'''Wolfgang [[Wolf]]''', '''Benny [[Baboon]]''' and '''Harry [[Hyena]]''': A trio of layabouts who spend their time lazing in the sun or eating or getting into trouble. On one occasion they were deemed suitable enough to [[Exploration of the Moon|fly to the moon]] (with Lowly as a passenger).

== Analysis and criticism ==
Scholars have examined Busytown as a representation for children of what adults do in daily life. For example, John Levi Martin conducted an analysis of the division of labor in Busytown.  He noted, for example, that predators like bears and leopards were overrepresented in jobs with greater authority, while pigs overwhelmingly occupied jobs that were unskilled, demeaning or under someone else's authority.  Further, pigs were the cause of some 75% of accidents.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Martin |first=John Levi |date=March 2000 |title=What do animals do all day?: The division of labor, class bodies, and totemic thinking in the popular imagination |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0304-422x(99)00025-x |journal=Poetics |volume=27 |issue=2–3 |pages=195–231 |doi=10.1016/s0304-422x(99)00025-x |issn=0304-422X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>  Another writer described <nowiki>''</nowiki>What Do People Do All Day" as "prophetic," since, by saying "everyone is a worker," it predicts the paradigm shift change from "industrial" to the modern concept of occupation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=McKiernan |first=Mike |date=October 2016 |title=Richard Scarry What Do People Do All Day? 1968 |url=https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/66/7/504/2222809 |journal=Occupational Medicine |volume=66 |issue=7 |pages=504–505 |doi=10.1093/occmed/kqw121 |pmid=27605574 |access-date=2023-11-08 |doi-access=free |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Busytown has been praised for its educational value. By presenting animals in having different roles, for example "bear" and "mailman" young children are encouraged to conceive of objects as displaying different conceptual attributes simultaneously. That is, each one can be easily seen as belonging to two categories at the same time.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Clark |first=Eve V. |date=January 2020 |title=Perspective-taking and pretend-play: Precursors to figurative language use in young children |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2018.12.012 |journal=Journal of Pragmatics |volume=156 |pages=100–109 |doi=10.1016/j.pragma.2018.12.012 |s2cid=149933527 |issn=0378-2166|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It has also been described as helping children learn prescience skills.  The presentation of different scenarios along with questions like: "what do you think might happen next" taught children to interact with and think about what is happening in the drawings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=M.A. |date=2002 |title=Carnegie Magazine: Richard Scarry's Busytown |url=https://carnegiemuseums.org/magazine-archive/2002/mayjun/csc1.htm |website=Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh}}</ref>

Scarry was sensitive to claims his depictions of female characters in Busytown reinforced general stereotypes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=James |date=2011-03-01 |title=Busytown Blues |url=https://www.the-american-interest.com/2011/03/01/busytown-blues/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=The American Interest |language=en-US}}</ref> In one case, he said, his editor labeled a telephone worker ''Tom the Telephone Man'' even though he had given the character a pink bow and called her Tina.  He refused to accept, however, that they promoted violence.<ref name="ERIC" />

==References==
{{Portal|Children's literature}}
<references />

{{Busytown}}

[[Category:Busytown| ]]
[[Category:Fictional populated places]]
[[Category:Book series]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1963]]